Pinsetter strike detector



Dec. 31, 1963 M. E. BROWN 3,

PINSETTER STRIKE DETECTOR Filed Aug. 14, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

BY JW, 5

Dec. 31, 1963 M. E. BROWN 3,116,064

FINSETTER STRIKE DETECTOR Filed Aug. 14, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. E. BROWN 3,116,064

Dec. 31, 1963 PINSETTER STRIKE DETECTOR Filed Aug. 14, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,116,ll64 PTNSETTER STRIKE DETEQITGR Milton E. Brown, Grand Haven, Mich, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Brunswick Corporation, Ciricago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 131,382 6 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to a strike detector for a bowling alley, and more particularly to a strike detector assembly for an automatic pinsetter.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved strike detector for a bowling alley.

Bowling has become an increasingly popular sport and recreational activity in recent years. Almost all successful present day bowling alley installations, and certainly all modern bowling alleys are equipped with automatic pinsetters. Such pinsetters normally clear deadwood from the bowling alley after each ball and set a complement of ten pins after the second ball, or after a strike on the first ball, as is more fully discussed in the United States Letters Patent 2,949,300, to Huck et al., directed to an automatic pinsetter. In order to adequately apprise bowlers and spectators of a strike, various strike detecting and indicating means have been proposed and these usually entail an illuminated indicator frequently positioned at the far end of the bowling alley adjacent the area where the pins are set on the alley. Most strike detecting equipment presently available is not readily suited for installation on existing equipment, or at best is complicated to install.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved strike detecting assembly for installation on automatic pinsetters, and more specifically for installation on a pinsetter such as that in the previously mentioned Huck et al. patent.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved strike detector which is both economical to manufacture and install, and dependable.

A more specific object is the provision of a strike detector for a pinsetter having first means movable from a normal position to a reset position when a new complement of ten pins is to be set on the bowling alley, and second means movable between first and second ball positions, the strike detector comprising a switch for controlling a strike indicator, the switch being actuable between a normal first position for rendering the strike indicator inoperative and a second position for rendering the strike indicator operative, the first means when in normal position or the second means when in second ball position releasably retaining the switch in its first position, and when the first means is in reset position and the second means is in first ball position the switch being released and in its second position.

Other objects and advantages will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmenary end elevational view of a pinsetter control mechanism including a strike detector embodying principles of the invention and installed on a portion of a control section of the pinsetter described in the afoerrnentioned Huck patent, with parts removed for clearer illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary left side elevational view looking in the direction of arrow 2 of FIGURE 1, with parts removed for clearer illustration; and,

FIGURE 3 is a right side elevational view looking in the direction of arrow 3 in FIGURE 1, with parts removed for clearer illustration.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in the environment of the previously mentioned Huck pinsetter, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms and in other environments, and it should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment or environment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is, in brief, directed to a strike detector for bowling alley installations, and more particularly to a strike detector for a pinsetter as generally described in the aforementioned Huck patent. The strike detector includes a switch which is actuable for controlling a strike indicator such as a light. In the preferred embodiment the switch is a mercury switch and is part of a switch assembly pivotaliy mounted in the control section of the pinsetter. Existing components of the pinsetter operate in their normal manner to control the strike detector for maintaining the mercury switch open until the pinsetter control responds to a strike condition whereupon the previously mentioned components of the pinsetter actuate the strike detector for closing the mercury switch to illuminate the strike indicator light for a short period of time.

A suitable circuit for a strike indicator and strike detector switch is shown and described in copending United States patent application of Torresen et al., Serial No. 50,542 {fled August 18, 1960. As shown therein, a strike switch 142 is connected in circuit with a source of power and strike indicator lamps 141).

The Huck Pinsetter The operation of the components of the pinsetter which actuate the strike detector of the present invention are fully described in the aforementioned Huck patent and will be but briefly and partially described herein. In the following description and drawings certain reference numerals of the Huck patent are enclosed in parenthesis, and follow the reference numerals of this disclosure.

With reference to the drawings, the pinsetter control section has a rigid frame 16 including a pair of parallel plates 11 (323) and 12 (422).

A control linkage for actuating the pinsetter to set a new complement of ten pins after a strike or the second ball of a frame includes a new set lever 13 (470) pinned to a shaft 14 (471) which is journalled in plates 11 and 12. A cam follower roller 15 (472) is rotatably mounted on new set lever 13. Resilient means acting through an arm 16 (240a) secured to shaft 14 urges cam follower roller 15 toward engagement with a cam 17 (449) keyed to a shaft 18 (181) mounted on plate 12. This cam is normally stationary and is rotated one revolution each time a bowling ball is rolled down the alley. When a new complement of ten bowling pins is to be set on the alley the new set lever 13 rides off its normal position on a high portion 19 (449a) of rotating cam 17 and onto a low portion 2%) of the cam. If a new complement of pins is not to be positioned on the bowling alley a new set latch 21 (453) engages a lug 22 (477) on new set lever 13 to hold this lever against movement of its cam follower roller 15 onto cam low portion 28. Thus, first means for sensing a reset condition is provided in the form of new set lever 13 for movement between a normal position in which cam follower roiler 15 engages cam high portion 19, or lug 22 engages latch 21 when a new set of pins is not required on the bowling alley; and a reset position in which lug 22 is free of latch 21 and cam follower roller 15 rides on cam low portion 2% when the pinsetter is to set a new complement of ten pins on the bowling alley, as after a strike or the second ball of a frame.

A control linkage for properly controlling the pinsetter in anticipation of the rolling of a first ball of a frame or second ball of a frame includes a two-ball frame lever 25 (5652) fixed to a shaft 26 (503) which is journaled in plates 11 and 12 of the frame. Resilient means in the form of a spring 27 (473) acting on an arm 28 (476 secured to shaft 2-6 urges a cam follower roller 29 (593a) on two-ball frame lever 25 toward engagement with cam 17, which makes one revolution after each ball, as previously described. As is more fully described in the aforementioned Huck patent, when the pinsetter is awaiting the calling of a first ball in a frame, a latch 3t? 592) engages a lug 31 (594) on two ball frame lever 25 to hold the latter in the position illustrated. When the pinsetter is awaiting the rolling of a second ball of a frame latch 3th (492) moves out of engagement with lug 31 (&4) on two-ball frame lever 25 permitting its cam follower 29 to move inwardly into engagement with cam 17, thereby rotating shaft 26 clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 2, and counterclockwise as viewed in FIG- URE 3, in response to resilient urging of spring 28. Thus, second means for sensing a first ball condition or a second ball condition is provided in the form of shaft 26 which is rotatably movable between first and second ball positions.

The Strike Detector The strike detector assembly of this invention controls a strike indicator device (not shown). In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the strike detector includes a switch assembly 35 having a generally L-shaped rigid bracket 36. A short leg 36a of this bracket has an eye mounted on a pivot pin 37 for pivotal movement of the bracket about a horizontal axis. Pin 37 extends outwardly from a plate 37a secured to plate 12 of the frame 10. A long leg 36b of the L- shaped bracket is generally horizontal and has a depending flange 33 at its free end. A mercury switch 3% is mounted on long leg 36b for movement with the bracket between a normal first open position as shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 3, and a second closed position as shown by the dotted lines. Suitable contacts in mercury switch 39 are connected in circuit with the strike indicator by wires 49 terminating in a cable 41 leading to the strike indicator. When mercury switch 39 is in normal first open position the strike indicator is inoperative, and when the mercury switch is in second closed position the strike indicator is illuminated for visibly indicating a strike.

In order to retain the switch assembly in normal closed position until a strike is scored, that is, until a new complement of ten pins is to be set on the bowling alley after the first ball of a frame, stop means in the form of a pin 42 (431) on new set lever 13 releasably engages the short leg 36a of switch assembly bracket 36 to retain the mercury switch 39 in open position when new set lever 13 is in its normal position. Pin 42 releases the switch assembly for movement by gravity to closed position of mercury switch 39 for operating the strike indicator when lever 13 is pivoted to its reset position.

Since a strike occurs only if all of the pins are knocked down on the first ball of a frame, means is provided for releasably holding switch assembly bracket 36 and mercury switch 39 in normal open position after the second ball of a frame. These means are actuable in response to movement of the second means in the form of shaft 26 between its first and second ball positions. A part in the form of a finger 43 is secured to shaft 26 for rotation therewith. Finger 43 freely engages a first arm 44- of a lever 45 mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 46 extending outwardly from plate 37a for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis.

Lever 45 has a second arm 47 with a free end positionable for engagement with switch assembly bracket 36, and more particularly adjacent the depending flange 33 of this bracket. When shaft 26 is in second ball position the lever 45 is pivoted by finger 43 so that its second arm 47 is positioned as shown by the dotted lines in FIGURE 3 under switch assembly bracket 36. In this position, when new set lever 13 moves from its normal to reset position after the second ball of a frame the switch assembly bracket 36 can drop but a short distance about its pivot 37 before engaging the top free end of arm 47, so that the contacts of mercury switch 39 remain open and the strike indicator is not illuminated.

As may best be seen in FIGURE 3, lever 45 is urged counterclockwise by resilient means in the form of a tension spring 48 having one end connected with second arm'47 and an opposite end connected with frame 10 for normally retaining lever 45 out of position for engagement with the switch assembly. When shaft 26 is rotated from second to first ball position lever 45 is moved counterclockwise by spring 48 so that the free end of lever second arm 47 is clear of the switch a sembly and the switch assembly may pivot downwardly in response to gravitational pull, to its closed position as indicated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 3, thereby closing the contacts of mercury switch 39 and illuminating the strike indicator light if new set lever 13 is in its reset position.

Thus, switch assembly 35 only actuates the strike indicator after the first ball of a frame at which time shaft 26 is in its first ball position and if the pinsetter is then called upon to place a new complement of ten pins on the bowling alley, in which event new set lever 13 is in its reset position. The strike indicator remains illuminated while shaft 26 and lever 13 are in these positions, as controlled by normal operation of the pin,- setter. Pin 42 on new set lever 13 returns the switch assembly to its normal position as this lever moves to its normal position.

I claim:

1. In a bowling alley pinsetter having a frame, a pinsetter lever movable to a reset position when the pinsetter is to set new pins on the bowling alley, and a shaft rotatable to a first ball position, a strike detector assembly for controlling a strike indicator device, comprising: a mercury switch for connection in circuit with the strike indicator device and pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between a normal open position and a closed position for rendering said strike indicator device inoperative and operative, respectively; a stop on the pinsetter lever normally releasably retaining said switch in open position and releasing said switch for movement to closed position when said pinsetter lever is in reset position; a finger mounted on the shaft for movement therewith; a lever mounted on said frame, movable by said finger and normally releasably retaining said switch in open position and releasing said switch for movement to closed position when said shaft is in first ba-ll position; and means urging the last said lever to position for releasing said switch, whereby when said pinsetter lever is in reset position and said shaft is in first ball position said strike indicator device is operative to indicate a strike.

2. In a bowling alley pinsetter actuable for movement to a reset position to set new pins on the bowling alley, and having means for sensing a first ball condition, a strike detector assembly for controlling a strike indicator device, comprising: a switch for connection in circuit with the strike indicator device; a switch controlling member mounted for movement between first and second positions and operating said switch to open the latter in one position of the member and to close same in the other position of the member; means biasing said member toward the second position; means normally releasably retaining said member in said first position and releasing said member for movement to said second position when the pinsetter is actuated for movement to reset position; and means normally releasably retaining said member in first position and releasing said member for movement to second position in response to the first said means sensing a first ball condition.

3. In a bowling alley pinsetter having first means for sensing a reset condition when the pinsetter is to set new pins on the bowling alley, and second means for sensing a first ball condition, a strike detector assembly for controlling a strike indicator device, comprising: a switch for connection in circuit with the strike indicator device; a switch controlling member mounted for movement between first and second positions and operating said switch to open the latter in one position of the member and to close same in the other position of the member; means biasing said member toward the second position; means responsive to said first means and normally releasably retaining said member in said first position and releasing member switch for movement to said second position when said first means senses a reset condition; and means responsive to the second means and normally releasably retaining said member in first position and releasing said member for movement to second position when said second means senses a first ball condition.

4. In a bowling alley pinsetter having a frame, first means movable from a normal position to a reset position when the pinsetter is to set new pins on the bowling alley, and second means movable between first and second ball positions, a strike detector assembly for controlling a normally inoperative strike indicator device operative for indicating a strike, comprising: a switch assembly for connection in circuit with the strike indicator device, said switch assembly being pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a normal first position and a second position for rendering said strike indicator device inoperative and operative, respectively; means actuable in response to movement of said first means and including a stop on said first means releasably retaining said switch assembly in first position when said first means is in normal position and releasing said switch assembly for movement to second position when said first means is in reset position; and means actuable in response to movement of the second means and including a part mounted on the second means for movement therewith; a lever pivotally mounted on said frame and movable by said part and releasably engaging and retaining said switch assembly in first position when the second means is in second ball position and releasing said switch assembly for movement to second position when said second means is in first ball position; means normally urging said lever out of position for engagement with said switch assembly, whereby when said first means is in reset position and said second means is in first ball position said strike indicator device is operative to indicate a strike.

5. In a bowling alley pinsetter having a frame, a lever mounted on the frame for movement to a reset position when the pinsetter is to set new pins on the bowling alley, and a shaft mounted on the frame for rotation to a first ball position, a strike detector assembly for controlling a strike indicator device, comprising: a switch for connection in circuit with the strike indicator device, said switch being mounted on said frame and movable between an open position and a closed position for rendering said strike indicator device inoperative and operative, respectively; means biasing the switch toward one of said positions; means actuable in response to movement of said lever and normally releasably retaining said switch in the other of said positions and releasing said switch for movement to said one position when said lever is moved to reset position; and means actuable in response to rotation of the shaft and normally releasably retaining said switch in said other position and releasing said switch for movement to said one position when said shaft is rotated to first ball position; whereby when said lever is in reset position and said shaft is in first ball position said strike indicator device is operative to indicate a strike.

6. in a bowling alley pinsetter having a frame, a newset lever pivotally mounted on the frame for movement from a normal position to a reset position when the pinsetter is to set new pins on the bowling alley, and a shaft rotatably mounted on the frame for movement between first and second ball positions, a strike detector assembly for controlling a normally inoperative strike indicator device operative for indicating a strike, comprising: a switch assembly including a mercury switch for connection in circuit with the strike indicator device, said switch assembly being pivotally mounted on said frame for movement of said mercury switch between a normal open position and a closed position for rendering said strike indicator device inoperative and operative, respectively, said switch assembly moving by gravity to closed position; a stop on the new-set lever releasably engaging and retaining said switch assembly in open position when said lever is in normal position and releasing said switch assembly for movement to closed position when said lever is in reset position, and for moving said switch assembly to open position as said new-set lever moves to normal position; a finger mounted on the shaft for movement therewith; a lever pivotally mounted on said frame and having a first arm freely engaged by said finger for movement therewith and a second arm releasably engaging and retaining said switch assembly in open position when the shaft is in second ball position and releasing said switch assembly for movement to closed position when said shaft is in first ball position; and a tension spring having one end connected with said second arm and an opposite end connected with said frame for urging said second arm out of engagement with said switch assembly, whereby when said new set lever is in reset position and said shaft is in first ball position said strike indicator device is operative to indicate a strike.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,009,699 Stanton et al Nov. 21, 1961 

5. IN A BOWLING ALLEY PINSETTER HAVING A FRAME, A LEVER MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR MOVEMENT TO A RESET POSITION WHEN THE PINSETTER IS TO SET NEW PINS ON THE BOWLING ALLEY, AND A SHAFT MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR ROTATION TO A FIRST BALL POSITION, A STRIKE DETECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR CONTROLLING A STRIKE INDICATOR DEVICE, COMPRISING: A SWITCH FOR CONNECTION IN CIRCUIT WITH THE STRIKE INDICATOR DEVICE, SAID SWITCH BEING MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND MOVABLE BETWEEN AN OPEN POSITION AND A CLOSED POSITION FOR RENDERING SAID STRIKE INDICATOR DEVICE INOPERATIVE AND OPERATIVE, RESPECTIVELY; MEANS BIASING THE SWITCH TOWARD ONE OF SAID POSITIONS; MEANS ACTUABLE IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID LEVER AND NORMALLY RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID SWITCH IN THE OTHER OF SAID POSITIONS AND RELEASING SAID SWITCH FOR MOVEMENT TO SAID ONE POSITION WHEN SAID LEVER IS MOVED TO RESET POSITION; AND MEANS ACTUABLE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF THE SHAFT AND NORMALLY RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID SWITCH IN SAID OTHER POSITION AND RELEASING SAID SWITCH FOR MOVEMENT TO SAID ONE POSITION WHEN SAID SHAFT IS ROTATED TO FIRST BALL POSITION; WHEREBY WHEN SAID LEVER IS IN RESET POSITION AND SAID SHAFT IS IN FIRST BALL POSITION SAID STRIKE INDICATOR DEVICE IS OPERATIVE TO INDICATE A STRIKE. 